OUT-OF-CONTRACT veteran Ash McGrath is desperate to return from injury and prove he still has a place in the Brisbane Lions' future.

A recurring calf injury has kept McGrath sidelined for the entire season to date, but he is hopeful of making a comeback in round 12.

McGrath celebrated his 31^st birthday on Tuesday and said the fire still burned to add to his 208 career games.

"I'm keen to play again," McGrath said.

"I'd like to finish my footy career how I want to finish it. Mentally I feel young, physically I still feel like I can contribute a few years to this footy club.

"If I can get back and contribute how the team wants me to, I feel good, and Leppa and the club want me to go again, I'll be more than happy to put pen to paper."

McGrath is just one of a list of experienced players that have had to watch from the sidelines as the Lions have slumped to a 1-8 start under new coach Leppitsch.

Brent Staker (calf) has not played this year, while Daniel Rich (ACL) and Matthew Leuenberger (knee) have played just three and four games respectively.

Tom Rockliff, Pearce Hanley and Jonathan Brown have also missed matches.

McGrath tore his calf just prior to the NAB Challenge and has retorn it twice since.

There is no doubt that at his best McGrath adds value to the Lions, with his most recent performance a six-goal haul against Geelong in the final round of last season at Simonds Stadium.

He just wants a chance to prove himself again.

"I thought it was going to be a one to two week injury and by the time I get back it will be an 18-week calf, so it's not the greatest thing for my time of career," he said.

"I just want to get back and help the boys out because there's been a fairly young group going out there.

"We've got a young forward line, a young defence so if Leppa needs me to play defence, I'm more than happy to go there and if he needs me up there to help Browny, I'm more than happy to play there as well."